Ball throwing target, retrieving bin, and court

ABSTRACT

A ball throwing court and apparatus comprises apparatus having a ball retrieving frame and a hoop mounted on the frame and adapted to pass balls of predetermined maximum diameter. A ball throwing court provides a plurality of positions around the hoop for throwing a ball toward the hoop in attempting to pass the ball through the hoop. The court provides a plurality of positions on concentric circles around the hoop.

UnitediS tates Patent 9y Van Tassel J g BALL THROWING TARGET, RETRIEVING BIN, AND COURT [75] Inventor: James W. Van Tassel, Minneapolis,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc., New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: Mar. 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 344,352

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/95 R, 273/1.5 R, 273/95 H [51] Int. Cl .L A631) 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/95 R, 95 H, 105 R,

I 273/1.5 R, 102 R, 102 S, 127R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENT-S 6/1964 Ballard ..273/1.5

3,244,420 4/1966 Poynter 273/105 [45 Apr. 9,1974

1,433,437 Wakeham 10/1922 273/95 H 2,818,254 12/1957 Dunn 273/105 R 1,850,715 3/1932 Gottfried 273/105 R 2,301,265 11/1942 Fandrey 273/105 R Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham 1 Assistant Examiner--Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick [5 7] ABSTRACT A ball throwing court and apparatus comprises apparatus having a ball retrieving frame and a hoop mounted onthe frame and adapted to pass balls of predetermined maximum diameter. A ball throwing court provides a plurality of positions around the hoop for throwing a ball towardthe hoop in attempting to pass the ball through the hoop. The court provides a plurality of. positions on concentric circles around the hoop. 1

Claims, 2 Drawing Figures BALL THROWING TARGET, RETRIEVING BIN,

AND COURT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a ball throwing court and apparatus. I

The principal object of the invention is to provide a ball throwing'court and apparatus of simple structure which are easily, rapidly and conveniently assembled and disassembled and provide amusement, interest, enjoyment and pleasure for participants and observers of games utilizing the court and apparatus.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the court of the invention.

In the FIGS., the same components are indicated by the same reference numerals; I [The bal l throwing court and apparatusof the invention comprise apparatus having a ball retrieving frame 11 (FIG. 1 and 2). A hoop 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted on the frame 11 and is adapted to pass balls 13 (FIG. 1) of a predetermined maximum diameter.

The ball throwing court provides a plurality of positions l4, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, and so on, around the hoop 12 for throwing a ball toward the hoop in attempting to pass the ball through the hoop. The positions 14 to 20, and so on, are on concentric circles around the hoop l2.

"The ball retrieving frame 11 of the apparatusprovides an enclosure behind the hoop 12, as shown in FIG. 1, which restrains a ball. The ball retrieving frame 11 is spaced sufficiently far behind the hoop 12 to prevent bouncing of a ball from the'frame into the hoop. The frame 1 1 includes a ball bin 21 (FIG. 1) and a ball 2 plurality of spaced concentric circles equidistantly spaced between the throwing position circles (FIG. 2). Each of the goal positions 28 to 34, and so on, is positioned radially behind a corresponding one of the throwing positions and is called a goalmark.

The goalmarks 28 to 34, and soon, are positioned in three semicircles 14, 18 and 22 feet from the center, or goalpoint, at which the hoop 12 is positioned. The goalpoint is on the ground directly under the center of the hoop 12. A corresponding throwmark 14 to 20, and so on, is positioned two feet radially in front of each goalmark 28 to 34, and so on. The thirowmarks 14 to 20, and so on, are thus positioned in three semicircles 12, I6 and 20 feet from the goalpoint. Each throwmark and each goalmark is secured to the ground by any suitable means such as, for example, stakes.

Each group of throwing positions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 (FIG. 2) includes nine goalmarks and nine throwdirecting member 22 (FIG. 1) for directing balls entering into the enclosure into the ball bin 21.

The court. includes a plurality of concentric circles coaxially positioned with the hoop l2 and spaced from the hoop and eachother (FIG. 2). Each circle has a plurality of spaced throwing positions thereon. The throwing positions 14 to 20, and so on, are grouped in radially bounded areas into a center group 23 (FIG. 2) substantially linearly positioned with the hoop 12. A left middle group 24 and a right middle group 25 (FIG. 2) are positioned on each side of the center group 23. A left flank group 26 and a rightflank group 27 (FIG. 2) are positioned alongside the corresponding left middle group 24 and. right middle group 25.

The object of the game played with the apparatus and on the court of the invention is to shoot a ball, which may have a 7 inch diameter, into the hoop or ring 12. The ring or hoop 12 is preferably 14 inches in diameter and mounted 4 feet above the ground. The hoop 12 extends substantially 2 feet perpendicularly from the frame 11, so that there is no backboard to permit the ball .to pass through the hoop by rebound. The ball must therefore be lofted or arced into the ring, lifting breaking and dropping, in accordance with the height of the arc; speed and spin of the ball and the distance of the thrower from the hoop 12.

Each of thethrowing positions 14to 20, and so on, is called a throwmark. A plurality of goal positions 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and so on, are positioned on a marks. There are three throwing positions on eacharc within each group. Each radially aligned series of goalmarks and throwmarks comprises a frameline and there are three framelines in each group of throwing positions.

Each goalmark is identified by'a three digit number of which the first digit is the frame, the second digit is the arc and the third digit is the position, represented by the goalmark.

A referee or casting judge determines by coin which player is first to shoot. The referee stands on a casting deck 35 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and observes the starting positions of the players. The firstplayer stands at goalmark 111, which is a goalmark 36 (FIG; 2) in the first frame, first are and first position. Thesecond player waits at rest, on the goalmark one are behind and one frameline to the left of the first player. The referree, when satisfied that the players are properly placed; takes a ball from the bin 21 (FIG. 1) and throws it to the first player. The goalmark is not in play or open, until the referee steps backward over a deckline 37 (FIG. 2) in the deck 35 onto a casting ramp 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The indicated goalmark is then open and the first player may shoot at the hoop 12."

After the first player shoots, he moves to a rest position which is on the goalmark one arcbehind and one frameline'to the right of the second player. When the throwmark is indicated, the player at rest stands on the throwmark corresponding to the designated goalmark.

The second player shoots after the first player. He stands at the goalmark 111 or 36. If both players score,

by passing the ball through the hoop, the first player moves to the goalmark 112 or 39 and the second player moves to the suitable rest position. If both players miss, by failing to pass the ball through'the hoop, the first player moves to the goalmark 39, as indicated.

Scoring is provided as follows. All scored goalmarks goalmarks together represent an arc. Those most closely surrounding the hoop 12 form the first arc. The next, or middle two concentric circles beyond these, form the second arc, while the last or most peripherally located concentric circlesjform the third arc.

Theposition groups are determined as follows. The.

three arcs thus described pass through the five groups of throwing positions 23,24, 25, 26 and 27 (FIG. 2) bisecting their radially bounded areas at eighteen points or cros'smarks per group. That is, at the positions of three throwmarks and three goalmarks per arc, and three radially aligned arcs per group. The Framelines and frames are described as follows. Each radially aligned series of throwmarks and goalmarks within a position group comprise a frameline and there are three framelines in a position group. The first frameline in the right flank position, within which are numeral references 36, 20, 34 (FIG. 2), and all of its counterparts or similarly located framelines in the other four position groups represent thegoalmarks and throwmarks of the first or blue frame and as such are blue in color. The middle frameline of each position group rep-- resents the second or red frame and its position markers are red in color. The last frameline of each position group represents the third or yellow frame, its markers being yellow in color.

The Sequence of play is as follows. In the sequence of play, each goalmark is mandatory'and attempted by both players at every position group, the corresponding throwmark is allowed only as an award and is so attempted by the player who has scored the goalmark in contrast to his opponents failure to do so. Should both players score or miss the goalmark attempt, that throwmark is not indicated and passed over.

Beginning with goalmark 111, the casting judge directs the players through all the 1st are group positions of the blue frame, following this, the 2nd and 3rd are group positions of the frame are played out thus completing the 1st or blue frame. The playing of the 2nd'or red frame and the third or yellow frame follow in like sequence.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

I claim:

l. A ball throwing court and apparatus, comprising I apparatus having a ball retrieving frame and a hoop mounted on the frame and adapted to pass balls of predetermined maximum diameter, the ball retrieving frame of the apparatus providing an enclosure behind the hoop which restrains a ball and is spaced sufficiently far behind the hoop to prevent bouncing of a ball from the frame into the hoop, said frame including a ball bin built into the frame in the enclosure behind the hoop and ball directing means for directing balls entering into the enclosure behind the hoop into the ball bin;

a ball throwing court providing a plurality of positions around the hoop for throwing a ball toward the hoop in attempting to pass the ball through the hoop, the court providing a plurality of positions on concentric circles around the hoop; and v a casting deck adjacent the frame and raised above the level of the court for'permitting observation of the positions of the court.

2'. A ball throwing court and apparatus as claimed in' claim 1, wherein the court includes a plurality of concentric'circles coaxially positioned with the hoop and spaced from the hoop and each other, each circle having a plurality of spaced throwing positions thereon.

3. A ball throwing court and apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the throwing positions are grouped in radially bounded areas into a center group substantially linearly positioned with the hoop, a'left middle group and a right middle group on each side of the center group and a left flank group and a right flank group alongside the corresponding left middle group and right middle group. 

1. A ball throwing court and apparatus, comprising apparatus having a ball retrieving frame and a hoop mounted on the frame and adapted to pass balls of predetermined maximum diameter, the ball retrieving frame of the apparatus providing an enclosure behind the hoop which restrains a ball and is spaced sufficiently far behind the hoop to prevent bouncing of a ball from the frame into the hoop, said frame including a ball bin built into the frame in the enclosure behind the hoop and ball directing means for directing balls entering into the enclosure behind the hoop into the ball bin; a ball throwing court providing a plurality of positions around the hoop for throwing a ball toward the hoop in attempting to pass the ball through the hoop, the court providing a plurality of positions on concentric circles around the hoop; and a casting deck adjacent the frame and raised above the level of the court for permitting observation of the positions of the court.
 2. A ball throwing court and apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the court includes a plurality of concentric circles coaxially positioned with the hoop and spaced from the hoop and each other, each circle having a plurality of spaced throwing positions thereon.
 3. A ball throwing court and apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the throwing positions are grouped in radially bounded areas into a center group substantially linearly positioned with the hoop, a left middle group and a right middle group on each side of the center group and a left flank group and a right flank group alongside the corresponding left middle group and right middle group. 